Easter 2
Collect for Easter 2
Almighty Father, you have given your only Son to die for our sins
and to rise again for our justification: Grant us so to put away the leaven
of malice and wickedness that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth;
through the merits of your Son.
1 John 1: 1-4
John 20: 19-29
Witnesses to the resurrection
Mary Magdalene in the garden John 20:18 ‘I have seen the Lord’
Disciples on the road to Emmaus Luke 24:31 ‘Their eyes were opened and they recognised Him’
Disciples on the beach. John 21:7 ‘It is the Lord’
In the locked upper room John 20: 20 ‘ On seeing the Lord, the disciples were overjoyed’
Thomas 20:28 ‘My Lord and my God’
On the road to Damascus Acts 9:4,5 Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’
Stephen the martyr (Acts 7:56): But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’
You and me: John 20:29 ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
We can take lessons from Thomas and Stephen
From Thomas: to see the Lord on our own terms – what proof do we need in order to believe?
From Stephen: after the Resurrection, in the Power of the Spirit
We are challenged to decide what we need to ‘see’ to believe – and then to seek it in the power of the Holy Spirit. And when we have seen, ‘to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that He has commanded us. And remember, He is with us always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:19, 20
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There is only one leader who invites us to follow of whom we can be sure – the one who is prepared to lay down His life.
Praying Together 14th April 2024
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But Jesus is aware of what He will have to endure in order to fulfil His mission of salvation – and He sets the necessary elements in motion.
Praying Together 17th March 2024
The Anglican Church of Ireland has produced an excellent example of the way in which St Patrick’s life embodies the Five marks of Mission – a real cause for celebration and a model for us to follow (And by the way, St. Patrick’s flag colour is blue, not green.)
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It’s a day of being aware of, and thankful for, the caring and loving relationships that exist within family and friends.
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And what of our anger? Is it based on injury to self? Injury to others? Or injury to love, to forgive, to serve? Can we defend it at the foot of the Kingly throne?
Praying Together 25th February 2024
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Praying Together 18th February 2024
The world is in flames. Are you impelled to put them out? Look at the cross. From the open heart gushes the blood of the Saviour. This extinguishes the flames of hell. Make your heart free by the faithful fulfilment of your vows;
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It’s the same for us – we cannot build our faith on just one or two aspects of Jesus’ story. The fundamental truth we need to accept that He is risen from the dead and He is Lord, alive.
Praying Together 4th February 2024
He asks for no reward, save that of loving His creation, His Father and our neighbours (all of them) as He loves – do we even do that?